Shopify

I have been working in software for 10 years now. I know what's out there. Most of the places I have worked so far have been great. But every job up to this point has really been a stepping stone in a search for that job that ticks all the boxes. My search is over. If you are a software developer, this is where you want to be.

• Full of top talent (in all departments, not just engineering)
• Complete autonomy in your day-to-day work
• Top-of-the-line hardware and tools to get your work done
• Freedom to take ownership of whatever you want
• Extremely flexible working hours
• Transparency beyond anything I have ever seen or heard of at any other company
• A shared desire to fix problems as they come up. Action is taken instead of procrastination and allowing the problem to grow and fester
• An engineering process that is so "agile" that we don't use stupid catchwords to define it

As an engineer that really wants to be a part of something amazing, the points above make it pretty clear why Shopify is amazing. So what about everything else?

• Great salary
• Stock options
• Very different approach to bonuses (Meritocracy - some may like it, some might not)
• Pretty good health/dental package. I have seen better, but typically the bigger the company, the better the benefits package.
• Breakfast bar and catered lunches
• Free drinks and snacks
• Beer tap and a well-stocked supply of bottled beer/cider
• Bi-weekly maid service at home
• One paid conference trip per year (your choice), and additional conferences if you are a speaker
• Amazing office location and space
• Probably several other things I have forgotten because there are so many

The biggest con for me personally is Ottawa, where the company headquarters is located. It's not the most interesting or lively city to live in.

I hate to not write anything bad, but I haven't had that many negative experiences to date. Every time I have found myself thinking there are things that could be done better, they are usually addressed quickly. Shopify is far from perfect, but the company is constantly making improvements across the board.

The bigger question will be how long the company can maintain this level of awesomeness as it grows. So far, so good.

Keep doing what you are doing. Hire top talent, stay transparent, demand accountability, and give people everything they need to do amazing things.